Fire breaks out in North Macedonia nightclub; at least 51 dead, more than 100 wounded

Skopje: A fire at a nightclub in North Macedonia, where more than 1,000 people had gathered for a concert, has killed at least 50 people, state news agency MIA reported Sunday.

In a press conference, Panche Toshkovski, Interior Minister, said that at least 50 people died in a discotheque in Kocani, a town about 100 kilometres east of the capital, Skopje, where around 1,500 people attended a concert.

The agency reported that the fire broke out in "Pulse", a nightclub in the small town with around 30,000 inhabitants during a concert by DNK, a hip-hop duo popular in the country. The concert that started at midnight on Sunday was attended mainly by young people.

Online media outlet SDK reported that the fire started at 3 am (0200 GMT), and gave a tally of more than 100 injured citing rescue sources.

The fire ignited and rapidly spread to the nightclub’s ceiling and roof, which were quickly engulfed in flames. Videos showed chaos inside the night club, with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible.

Macedonian broadcaster Kanal 5 reported that Interior Minister Pance Toshkovski is at the scene, while Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is en route.

The station also reported a "stampede" following the outbreak of the fire, leading to multiple injuries, including burns and suffocation.

In a statement, the public prosecutor’s office said: ‘The number of victims and injured in the fire is being determined.’

The wounded were taken either to the local Kocani hospital or to Stip, some 30 kilometres south of the town.

Local media speculated that the fire was probably caused by the use of pyrotechnic devices.

“This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia. The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable,” North Macedonia’s prime minister, Hristijan Mickoski. wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“The people and the government will do everything in their power to at least slightly alleviate their pain and help them in these most difficult moments.”

Family members have gathered in front of hospitals and Kocani’s city offices begging authorities for more information.

Toshkovski said police have arrested one man, but didn't provide details on the person's involvement.

(With inputs from AFP)